September 2015

Two announcements: first, I’ve finally completed my book on San Francisco in the Sixties. I call it, The Explosion of Deferred Dreams: Musical Renaissance and Social Revolution in San Francisco 1965–1975.

PM Press is planning to publish the book in Fall 2016. Inquiries can be be directed to:info@pmpress.org
510-658-3906
PM Press
PO Box 23912
Oakland, CA 94623

PM’s press text reads:
“In 2007 the world was deluged with books, essays, interviews and films, alternatively celebrating and condemning what transpired in San Francisco in 1967. The “Summer of Love”, “Flower Power”, “Acid Rock” and “Hippies” were once again the focus of debate over morals, music and political movements. Since 2017 is sure to witness a similar outburst, The Explosion of Deferred Dreams is a timely rejoinder to conventional “wisdom”. Author, musician and native San Franciscan, Mat Callahan, confronts the media-frenzy by critically reexamining what transpired to make “San Francisco in the Sixties” such a perennial subject of interest. Not only are media accounts characterized by glaring omissions and distortions of fact, but only the feeblest attempts have been made to gauge the scope and enduring effects of what was indeed a renaissance and a revolution. A participant in the events himself, Callahan explores the dynamics linking the Black Panthers and Sly and the Family Stone, the United Farmworkers and Santana, the Indian Occupation of Alcatraz and the San Francisco Mime Troupe, and the New Left and the counterculture. Posing the questions, Why music?, Why revolution? and Why San Francisco?, The Explosion of Deferred Dreams, embarks on a radical reappraisal rich in historical data and penetrating in analysis. The conclusions may be surprising, even to those familiar with the subject but Callahan supports these conclusions with abundant evidence, drawing new lessons for future generations. Blowing away the mists of mystification cast by five decades of counterrevolution, The Explosion of Deferred Dreams brings to light the incredible diversity of musical and artistic expression which was inseparable from a generation’s attempt to change the world. Callahan shows how the intense interplay of artistic and political movements put San Francisco, briefly, in the forefront of a world-wide revolutionary upsurge.”

Second: Yvonne and I have confirmed that we will be touring Northern California in January 2016. The tour will kick off the year’s commemorations of the Easter Rising of 1916 and the leading role of James Connolly. We will be using Connolly’s Songs of Freedom as a basis for a presentation of history and revolutionary music. Our tour begins at the Western Workers Labor Heritage Festival, January 15–17th and continues until the end of the month. Once dates are fully confirmed they will be posted here. Alternatively, information is available by contacting: steven@pmpress.org